bookbashuk Chapter 101 The Mystery of Qingya Cave
Chapter 101 The Mystery of Qingya Cave
The Maoshan lineage, also a legitimate Taoist tradition, boasts a long history and profound cultural heritage, and is as famous as Longhushan.
This Shen Zui was not only a member of the official "Miscellaneous Affairs Department," but also a direct disciple of Maoshan, making his significance and purpose seem even more unusual.
Chen Anran shook hands with Shen Zui. "So you're a disciple of Maoshan. My apologies for my disrespect."
Shen Zui's hand was dry and strong, and he separated his touch immediately.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, you're too kind." Shen Zui's tone remained cold. He glanced at Feng Xiaolu and Zhao Mengmeng behind Chen Anran, before his gaze finally settled on Chen Anran's face.
"This isn't something that's convenient for so many people to hear. How about this, I'll go up with you all, then you should be at ease, right?"
After a moment's thought, Chen Anran nodded in agreement: "Section Chief Shen, please."
He turned to Fatty Li and the villagers, who still looked wary, and said gently, "Old Li, fellow villagers, it was all a misunderstanding. Please disperse. Thank you all for your understanding."
When Li Pangzi and the others heard Chen Anran speak, although they were still somewhat skeptical, they still slowly made way for him, but their eyes remained fixed on Shen Zui.
"Please." Chen Anran gestured to Shen Zui and then took the lead in walking up the mountain. Feng Xiaolu and Zhao Mengmeng exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
Shen Zui said a few words to the middle-aged police officer, signaling them to wait at the foot of the mountain. Then he stepped forward to follow Chen Anran and the other two. His steps were steady and his aura was restrained, which was indeed the demeanor of a true disciple of the Xuanmen sect.
On the mountain road, Shen Zui offered Chen Anran a cigarette, but Chen Anran waved her hand, saying, "I don't smoke."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zui did not insist. He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and his cold profile seemed to soften slightly amidst the swirling smoke.
"Although Qingya Cave is located in a remote area and has no close relationship with Maoshan, it is still a registered and orthodox cultivation sect. Now, more than ten people, including the cave master, have disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead. For both reason and principle, we must find out the truth."
Aside from Zhao Mengmeng, who looked completely bewildered, Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu were both taken aback.
Feng Xiaolu couldn't help but ask, "The group from Qingya Cave has disappeared?"
Chen Anran frowned and asked, "What does their disappearance have to do with our Cloud Hidden Sect?"
Shen Zui exhaled a smoke ring. "We checked the road surveillance footage and found that your sect leader appeared on the highway about one kilometer away from Qingya Cave on the night they disappeared."
The master of Qingya Cave, Wang Chongshan, and his disciples have disappeared? Senior Sister Su Wan was seen nearby on the night they disappeared?
Feng Xiaolu blurted out, "Impossible! Senior Sister has been teaching Xiaoling'er on the mountain the whole time, how could she possibly have gone to Qingya Cave? You must have seen wrong!"
Shen Zui flicked his cigarette ash, his expression unchanged, and his tone calm, "The surveillance footage has been processed and compared with human images, confirming that it is indeed Ms. Su Wan, the leader of your sect. The time, place, and person all match up."
He looked at Chen Anran, his gaze sharp: "Fellow Daoist Chen, what explanation do you have for this? Or perhaps we should ask Sect Leader Su directly?"
Chen Anran's mind raced.
He absolutely refused to believe that his senior sister would do anything heinous, but Shen Zui spoke with absolute certainty and represented an official position, so this matter had to be handled with utmost care. Stubbornly denying it was not a good strategy; it would only deepen suspicion.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and his expression returned to calm: "Section Chief Shen, a single surveillance video doesn't prove anything. Perhaps Senior Sister had other important business and was passing through that area, and it has nothing to do with the disappearance of the Qingya Cave people. Cultivators often travel at night. Besides, my Senior Sister is only at the late Qi Refining stage, with a strength similar to that of the cave master. How could this matter possibly be related to my Senior Sister?"
Feng Xiaolu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "That's right, our senior sister's strength is far from enough!"
After listening to Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu's words, Shen Zui silently finished his last puff of cigarette and carefully stubbed it out on a roadside stone.
"I didn't say the murderer was your senior sister. I just came to ask her about the situation that day and whether she saw any suspicious people."
Upon hearing Shen Zui's explanation, Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu's tense nerves instantly relaxed, and they both breathed a sigh of relief.
Feng Xiaolu patted her chest, her face regaining its usual radiance, and said in a light tone, "Hey! You should have said so earlier! You just wanted to ask Senior Sister about the situation, why are you making such a fuss? I thought you really considered Senior Sister a suspect!"
She was straightforward and made no attempt to hide her protection and trust in Su Wan: "Our senior sister is the most gentle and reasonable person. If she really saw something, she will definitely tell you everything. Why don't you just say you came to ask for clues? Why go through all that trouble and disturb the villagers down the mountain?"
Although Chen Anran didn't show his emotions as openly as Feng Xiaolu, his expression softened considerably. He nodded to Shen Zui, his tone calm: "I see. Since it's about cooperating with the investigation and understanding the situation, Yunyin Sect will do its best. Senior Sister should be in the sect right now. Section Chief Shen, please come with us."
Chen Anran believed that with her senior sister's character, she would definitely be able to give a reasonable explanation and resolve this misunderstanding.
Shen Zui said, "I'd like to trouble you to lead the way, fellow Daoist."
The group continued up the mountain path, and the atmosphere had eased considerably compared to before.
Although Zhao Mengmeng didn't quite understand what had happened, seeing that Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu had relaxed, she also breathed a sigh of relief and quietly followed behind.
Feng Xiaolu even took the initiative to strike up a conversation, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Section Chief Shen, what kind of cases does your miscellaneous affairs section usually handle? Are they all like this... um, rather special cases?"
Shen Zui looked at the stone steps ahead and answered succinctly, "Anything involving supernatural forces or disputes in the cultivation world that affects secular stability falls under our jurisdiction."
After saying that, Shen Zui smiled again, "Two years ago, before the spiritual energy recovery began, our miscellaneous affairs department really was only responsible for miscellaneous items."
"Oh..." Feng Xiaolu nodded as if she understood, and wanted to ask more, but Chen Anran stopped her with a look.
Chen Anran could sense that Shen Zui was not simple, and therefore could not completely trust him.
Soon, the ancient and simple mountain gate of the Cloud Hidden Sect reappeared before our eyes.
Chen Anran led Shen Zui straight to the main hall, and asked Feng Xiaolu to inform Su Wan first, and to let Zhao Mengmeng rest first.
Before long, Su Wan led Lin Xiaoman to the main hall. She was still dressed in an elegant long dress, her temperament gentle and calm. When she saw the unfamiliar, cold-looking man in the hall, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, then she looked at Chen Anran with gentle eyes: "Anran, who is this?"
Chen Anran stepped forward and introduced the two: "Senior Sister, this is Section Chief Shen Zui of the Official Miscellaneous Affairs Department, who is also a direct disciple of the Maoshan lineage. Section Chief Shen, this is our Yunyin Sect's Sect Leader, Senior Sister Su Wan."
Upon hearing this, Su Wan bowed to Shen Zui with composure: "So you are a esteemed disciple of Maoshan. Section Chief Shen, what brings you to Yunyin Sect?"
Shen Zui returned the greeting with a cupped hand, "Sect Leader Su, I apologize for disturbing you. I've come to inquire about some matters."
"Is that so? Xiaoman, bring some tea." With that, Su Wan took the seat of honor.
Shen Zui, Chen Anran, and Feng Xiaolu also took their seats.
Soon, Lin Xiaoman entered carrying a vermilion lacquered tea tray. Her steps were light, yet her movements were meticulous. She first placed a steaming cup of tea on the tea table beside Shen Zui and said softly, "Section Chief Shen, please have some tea."
The teacup was a simple white porcelain cup, as thin as paper. The tea soup was clear and blue, and a few tea leaves slowly unfurled in the cup, emitting a delicate fragrance.
Afterwards, Lin Xiaoman served two more cups of tea to Su Wan and Chen Anran respectively. When it was Feng Xiaolu's turn, she handed her a slightly larger ceramic cup filled with warm honey water. This was because Lin Xiaoman had been on the mountain for a long time and knew that Feng Xiaolu didn't like tea but preferred sweet drinks.
Feng Xiaolu pouted, but still took it, muttering softly, "I really wanted a Coke..."
Su Wan glanced at her indifferently, and Feng Xiaolu immediately fell silent, holding the ceramic cup and taking small sips.
Lin Xiaoman poured Su Wan a final cup, then quietly stepped back behind Su Wan, folding her hands in front of her, looking down at her nose with a respectful posture.
Shen Zui did not immediately touch the cup of tea. His gaze swept over the white porcelain teacup, then over Lin Xiaoman's obedient eyes, and finally returned to Su Wan.
"Sect Leader Su," he began, his voice still monotone, "the tea is fine. But my purpose in coming here is not to savor it."
Upon hearing this, Su Wan gently stroked the warm cup with her slender fingers, looked up at him, and had a faint smile on her lips.
"Tea is a must. Section Chief Shen has come from afar, and although Yunyin Sect is small, we dare not neglect the proper hospitality." Her voice was gentle, and her tone was neither humble nor arrogant. "Besides, some things cannot be rushed. Perhaps a moment of calm will help us clarify our thoughts."
Shen Zui smiled, downed his tea in one gulp, and then got straight to the point, briefly recounting the disappearance of the people from Qingya Cave and the surveillance footage showing Su Wan appearing nearby.
"We don't suspect that Sect Leader Su is directly involved in this matter, but we hope you can recall whether you noticed anything unusual or saw any suspicious people or signs when you passed by Qingya Cave that night. Any details may be crucial for us to find the whereabouts of the people from Qingya Cave."
Su Wan listened quietly, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, as if trying to recall. After a moment, she raised her eyes, her clear gaze meeting Shen Zui's, and slowly shook her head, her tone tinged with apology:
"So that's what Section Chief Shen came for. I did pass through that area that night on personal business, but I didn't get close to the entrance of Qingya Cave, nor did I sense any fighting or unusual spiritual energy fluctuations. As for the suspicious person... the night was deep and the mountains were quiet, and I didn't encounter anyone. I'm truly sorry that I couldn't provide any useful clues."
Feng Xiaolu immediately chimed in, "See, Section Chief Shen? I told you Senior Sister definitely wouldn't know. That area may be a bit remote, but it's normal for people to pass by occasionally. You can't make everyone who passes by a suspect, can you?"
Chen Anran also spoke up, "Besides, our strength doesn't allow it."
Shen Zui gazed at Su Wan silently, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through her gentle facade. Su Wan returned his gaze calmly, her eyes serene.
A few seconds later, Shen Zui looked away. "Thank you for your cooperation, Sect Leader Su. Since Sect Leader Su has been unable to provide any clues, I will not bother you any further."
He acted decisively; after receiving a reply, he stopped pressing the matter and got up to take his leave.
Su Wan also stood up and said gently, "Section Chief Shen is very busy with official duties. If there is anything that Yunyin Sect can do to assist you, please feel free to contact us. I also hope that your department can find out the whereabouts of the fellow Daoists from Qingya Cave as soon as possible. Anran, please see Section Chief Shen off."
"Thank you for your kind words, Sect Leader Su." Shen Zui nodded and walked towards the mountain gate with Chen Anran by his side.
After seeing Shen Zui off and watching his figure disappear at the end of the tree-lined path, Feng Xiaolu finally relaxed completely, patting her chest exaggeratedly: "That scared me to death! I thought it was something serious! It was just a false alarm."
The two walked side by side down the mountain.
Shen Zui lit another cigarette, the smoke curling and dissipating in the early morning forest. He gazed ahead, as if casually remarking, "Fellow Daoist Chen, you are so young, yet your cultivation is quite solid. The Yunyin Sect's heritage is indeed extraordinary."
"Section Chief Shen, you flatter me. In this degenerate age, I'm merely following the steps and barely getting started."
"Step by step..." Shen Zui repeated the phrase, chuckling cryptically. "In this world, being able to follow the steps is already a blessing. What I fear is that some people are unwilling to follow the steps and have taken the wrong path."
Chen Anran's heart skipped a beat, sensing that he was implying something, but he remained outwardly calm: "The path of cultivation is long, and upholding righteousness and maintaining a righteous mind is fundamental."
"Well said." Shen Zui nodded, then changed the subject, "Although Qingya Cave has not had a deep relationship with your sect, it is still a righteous sect and not too far away. Now that they have mysteriously disappeared, neither alive nor dead, it is no small matter for the entire cultivation world and could easily cause panic."
Chen Anran remained silent; he couldn't refute this point. The complete disappearance of an entire cultivation sect was indeed shocking.
Shen Zui continued, "We conducted a preliminary investigation of Qingya Cave. There were no signs of a fierce fight inside, but the remaining spiritual energy was extremely chaotic. It doesn't seem like a typical vendetta or internal strife."
He paused, then turned to look at Chen Anran, "Fellow Daoist Chen, your Yunyin Sect is nearby, haven't you really noticed anything unusual recently? Such as abnormal fluctuations in spiritual energy, or the aura of unfamiliar cultivators?"
Chen Anran met his gaze and said frankly, "Section Chief Shen, to be honest, my third senior sister and I were away from the sect for some time, traveling to Chongqing to handle some personal matters. We only returned yesterday. Only my eldest senior sister, cultivator Lin, and junior nephew are in the mountains. My eldest senior sister is quiet and her strength is only at the late stage of Qi Refining; cultivator Lin's cultivation is even shallower; and junior nephew is young. If something truly happened that could silently destroy Qingya Cave, they probably wouldn't be able to detect it."
After hearing this, Shen Zui silently took a few puffs of his cigarette, and only put it out when he was almost at the foot of the mountain.
The police waiting at the foot of the mountain and the villagers who had dispersed but were still watching with concern came into view.
Shen Zui stopped in his tracks.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, since you have just returned, you must also have doubts about the Qingya Cave. After all, it is so close, and if we don't investigate it thoroughly, I'm sure your sect will find it hard to feel at ease." His gaze was deep. "I will go to Qingya Cave again later to investigate it carefully. Would you like to come with me? Perhaps, from the perspective of a Yunyin Sect cultivator, you can discover some details that we have overlooked."